UK to get new passive offboard decoy system.

The United Kingdom Ministry of Defence has disclosed plans to get a new passive offboard decoy system to provide soft-kill anti-ship missile defense for Royal Navy ships. The Naval Passive Off-Board Decoy (N-POD) system is the new equipment intended to replace the actual Outfit DLF(3b) system in RN service. Outfit DLF(3b) is a passive radio frequency (RF) countermeasure using a floating inflatable corner reflector.

The decoy is completely independent of the ship’s systems and does not require other countermeasures (Picture source: IrvinGQ)

The contract award, anticipated for May 2020, is expected to be a Design, Development, Demonstration, and Manufacture contract with up to a five-year support contract, for a full operating capability planned for 2025.

Currently, FDS3 units are supplied as a complete decoy launch tube assembly in low-RCS launchers, typically in pairs, and may be integrated within the ship’s systems or as a standalone system, with just 8 bolts and a power feed necessary for installation. Should all ship’s power be lost, then FDS3 can still be launched and provide full ship protection.No auxiliary power is required in this mechanical launch mode and no targeting is necessary. The decoy is completely independent of the ship’s systems and does not require other countermeasures such as jammers to be used in conjunction with it and once FDS3 is launched its operation is automatic and requires no further input from the ship. (See video below)

IrvinGQ is the world leader in Corner Reflector decoys for naval ship protection. Their off-board passive decoys have been protecting ships of the world’s leading navies from RF missile attack for more than 30 years. UK Royal Navy, the US Navy, the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal New Zealand Navy are using the services of the company.